Dublin V.A. Hospital Feeling 'A Little More Like Home' For Vets, Making Middle Georgia Great

Dublin V.A. Hospital Feeling 'A Little More Like Home' For Vets, Making Middle Georgia Great

DUBLIN, Georgia (41 NBC/WMGT) -Walking up to a hospital, images of brick-lined sidewalks and manicured courtyards are not always typical appearances. That's exactly why the Carl Vinson V.A. Hospital in Dublin, is making changes, not only to its facade, but to its internal practices as well.

"Basically we stopped prescribing what our patients would experience, and started asking them what they needed," V.A. Hospital Public Affairs Officer Frank Jordan says.

What veterans needed, was a place to call home. Vets like John King, who spent three years of his life as a P.O.W.

"I remember saying three words," King recalls of his experience. "'God save me.' And that's all I remember."

King, and the other 60-some veterans living here, have some well deserved luxuries. There are several big screen T.V's, common living room areas for socializing, a kitchen to prepare their own food, bedrooms with the option of having a roommate, and a flat screen T.V. in each bedroom. Let's not forget one important fact; this is a fully functioning hospital still.

"It's very important we honor what they've done to our country, for our country. Their commitment to us. Now we have a commitment to them," Jordan says.

The construction of the new hospital wing completed in late spring. Veterans have been calling it home since mid-June.